GeoPhy and PGGM: towards total CO2 transparency in real estate

Data analytics platform GeoPhy and pension investor PGGM will join forces to map the global real estate portfolios, which PGGM administers for its clients, on sustainability and CO2 footprint. This means full transparency will be achieved on the CO2 effects of global real estate investments through the technology developed by GeoPhy and the use of ‘big data’.

Through this partnership, PGGM is able to map the CO2 footprint of its entire real estate portfolio down to individual buildings. PGGM manages an estimated total of 20 billion Euros in real estate for Pensioenfonds Zorg en Welzijn, Bedrijfstakpensioenfonds Schilders and Stichting Pensioenfonds Huisartsen (SPH).

Furthermore, the collaboration enables PGGM to compare the CO2 footprint of its real estate portfolio against those of several local real estate markets. GeoPhy’s platform allows for comparison between individual buildings meaning PGGM can quickly increase sustainability for its current investments as well as add new, sustainable real estate to its portfolio in a more targeted manner.

Hans Op ’t Veld, head of Listed Real Estate at PGGM, commented: “The data and insights of GeoPhy enable us to take an important new step in achieving full insights in the CO2 performance of our real estate investments. By doing that, we cater to the wishes of our clients to know how their investments can contribute to solving the climate problem.”

Last year, PGGM doubled the private and listed real estate in the highest sustainability category, according to the GRESB (The Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark). The GRESB is an independent global benchmark, which judges the sustainability of real estate funds and –enterprises.

Guido Verhoef, head of Private Real Estate at PGGM, added: “The fact that half of our current real estate investments already earn the highest GRESB-qualification, shows that we can take big steps forward when it comes to sustainability improvements. With the instruments provided by GeoPhy we take a next step toward full transparency and insights in the carbon footprint of the real estate. That will help us to achieve a fully sustainable portfolio.”

Teun van den Dries, founder and CEO of GeoPhy, said: ”The institutional knowledge, experience and position of PGGM, combined with our cutting-edge technology and independent data-driven approach offer huge opportunities for collaboration. With a global portfolio and enormous ambition in the field of sustainability, PGGM is already an innovator in its market and we are honoured to further support that innovation.”